12/21/2010

The work on our boat has slowed to a stop.

Christmas is just around the corner and the weather hasn't been very nice even inside our boat, to do much. I have been down to our boat several times after work just to take measurements and to see if all is OK, but other than that not much.

On the 21st I went down to our boat and found a big marshmallow.

Back steps up to the sundeck entrance

I wanted to take some inside pictures and did which might help when we start to bring items onto our boat in the spring.

Notice the look from inside our marshmallow, (facing forward);

as well as the normal Marine Trader, Albin water stains around the windows.

We do have additional water damage in the forecastle which will entail removing part of a bulkhead, but my friend Glenn, the master craftsman, where wood is concerned (as well as a great programmer) will make it look all new by spring time. Also, since we have a 4-5 year plan on taking care of all that needs to be addressed, from wood to windlass to electronics to dingy, all should be addressed in that time.

I'll be back from time to time and fill in items and add new.

Come on back and hope you enjoy our trip.

12/15/2010-Recap

It's been what seems like a long trip. It isn't like I didn't enjoy all of the trips to look at boats, and it may be why the boat finally found us. I say that because while I was looking I used to say that "the right boat will come along".

That of course was a tall order in that for the "RIGHT" boat to come along it not only had to be the "Right" kind of boat, a trawler, with a nice flared bow, but it also had to be 'close' to home, to be able to get it home for a reasonable cost, and it also had to be at the right purchase price.

I also used to say that I didn't want to spend over $50,000.00 because if there was some family affair going on, and I spent more than $50K, I'd feel like I had to use the boat to get my monies worth and that would make my family unhappy. That would be counter productive.

If you look to the above and below you will see the 'right' boat that finally came along.

Some background on 'the right boat';
She is a 1985 (built) 1986 (sold) 43' Albin Sundeck with twin 135 Ford Lehman Diesel engines. One interesting thing about the engines is that they had under 500 hours when we purchased the boat. I had 2 surveys done and both surveyors said that they (the engines) looked like they just came out of the crate.

The only modification that I have found so far that was performed on 'the boat' was the addition of a electra-Scan sanitation system (more on that later). The original electronics consisted of a Loran, Depth finder and a VHF radio, all I would guess are in the 1980's vintage.

We plan on upgrading all electronics and adding what is necessary in a 4-5 year updating plan to prepare for our BIG trip of doing The Loop. We will also be putting on more engine hours, during the cruising season this coming year which will help us add or subtract and prioritize items on the list. Big items this coming season will be an anchor (the anchor that came with our boat was 25# with 5' of chain and about 50' of rode) which I am thinking of a Rocna and a windlass (no there wasn't one and if you use your boat engines for less than 500 hrs, you probably aren't anchoring much) which I am leaning to a Tigress.

I'll add more as I go along, including using a SPOT to show where we are traveling. So keep coming back and add your comments. We'll be telling what is the good, bad and the ugly of this Odyssey.

So at this point we are fairly current as to the blog information. I will probably be doing some modifications, additions, especially some more pictures and some deletions where necessary until I feel it is just about right. This won't require too much but if you check back you will see some changes.